John Pensiero

John D. Pensiero, 94, of Stamford passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday, December 19, 2016 at Cassena of Stamford. He was born on March 12, 1922 in Utica, NY to the late Francesco and Vincenza Pensiero.
John moved to the west side of Stamford as a child and was a lifelong resident of the city. John served in the US Navy from 1942 to 1945 as a gunner on merchant marine convoys in the Mediterranean Sea and made six successful trans-Atlantic voyages. Following the war, John was a master stone mason and contractor in the greater Stamford area and continued practicing the trade until well into his 80’s. John will forever be remembered by all who knew him for his love, generosity and deep compassion for others. With his endearing spirit he made friends across all ages and walks of life. In addition to doting on his grandchildren and great grandchildren, John enjoyed gardening, tending to his ageless fig tree, taking trips to Atlantic City and Mohegan Sun and caring for his cherished dog, Buddy.
Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Agnes Ida (Ruggis) and his siblings Angelina Ganino, Lena Bonis and Mary Volpe.
John is survived by his loving children, Joan Zajkowski and her husband Paul of Darien, Frank Pensiero and his wife Vicki of Southport, and Kathy Shapiro and her husband David of Stamford. He is also survived by his sister, Rose Golino of Batavia, NY and a brother Joseph Pensiero and his wife Vicky of Stamford, as well as his grandchildren, Paul Zajkowski of Darien, Matt Zajkowski of Milford, Kathryn Bass of Northhampton, MA, Christoper Pensiero of Brooklyn, Nicole Pensiero of West Palm Beach, FL, Kara McGuinness of Fairfield, Laura Pensiero of Brooklyn, Marisa Rizzo of Newtown, Jesse Shapiro of Boston, Allie Shapiro of Montreal, QC and his beloved great grandchildren, Aidan, Sean Michael, Cecilia and Colette.

A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 9:30 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM at St. John’s RC Church, Post Road, Darien. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, December 22, from 4:00-8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com